Well…How was your weekend? Mine was great — I finished the Aunts’ Quilt!
Ta-Dah!!!
Oh, how I loooove this quilt! It was SO fun to make! This quilt took a year to piece the top (it’s been almost two years since we started the Aunts’ Quilt Quilt-a-long) and then I sent the top to a hand-quilter (because I think a quilt with that much work deserves hand-quilting ;-D )and it took her almost a year to finish the quilting. As always, she did a beautiful job! My very favorite part is the cross-hatching on the applique blocks.
The pieced blocks aren’t as heavily quilted, but that’s ok — the applique blocks are really the stars of the quilt. We basically did 1/4″ quilting around the flying geese and large cross-hatching in the corners. We debated making the cross-hatching smaller on those corners, but I like the contrast between the larger cross-hatching and the smaller cross-hatching.
For the backing, I used the same Japanese honeycomb dot fabric that I used in the border — just in a different colorway. You can also see how the border was quilted in the picture below. The clamshells were quilted both in the ditch and 1/4″ in from the edge. I know some of you don’t like that clamshell border but I love it. I love looking at all the different fabrics that were used in the interior of the quilt. And for the binding I used a Bonnie and Camille diagonal stripe from their April Showers line. It’s funny, when I bought the stripes in that line, the teal was my least favorite color and I thought I would never use it. I think it worked out just right for this quilt though.
So, now what to do with her? I’m still pondering my options. For awhile, I’ll probably just spend a lot of time just looking at her. I do so love a scrappy quilt! She looks pretty folded, sitting on a bench (look at those fun fabrics on those two middle folds!).
But she really looks pretty, all spread out with someone sleeping under her. (Speaking of which, what is it about cats and quilts? Within 5 minutes of sitting down to start the binding of the quilt, both cats tried to climb up on my lap and curl up under the quilt. Stubborn Scruff even tried twice!)
Now I can get back to work on the baby quilt. I’m hoping to finish the quilting by Halloween — it’s lots of work, but it sure is fun!
Have a great week!
XOXO,
Anna
P.S. The pattern for The Aunts’ Quilt was designed by Australian Gina Gregory!
Oh it is just gorgeous… .
What a beautiful quilt Anna!
It is such a beautiful quilt! Love the handquilting!
Wow – it looks amazing! Wish I had the patience. Lovely weekend here – friends visiting from London and The Hague so we took a trip to Stirling Castle, Pittenweem and St Andrews…ate out with friends and chatted lots.
It looks fabulous!!
I love everything of this quilt, especially the colours you’ve chosen. Bravo on a stunning finish! (I’m only about a year behind. I’m in the process of sewing the blocks together, then only the last border to do. I’m not sure yet how to quilt it though. I also feel it needs to be hand quilted but don’t have easily access to hand quilters anymore.)
Oh, Anna!
It’s so beautiful, it takes my breath away! I’m so glad you chose hand quilting, it is an heirloom-quality quilt. I hope you plan on entering a number of quilt shows with it. Everyone should have a chance to see your amazing hand work!
That’s unbelievable. I am stunned.
It’s amazing, Anna. :o)
Anna, the quilt is beautiful. It was so much fun watching your progress towards completing it. And the quilting looks perfect.
Anna, I LOVE EVERYTHING about this quilt! It is just beautiful. xoxoxo Jewels
So so so pretty! I am going to finish mine! Really I am.
I adore this quilt! Just love the applique, the colours and the border, well everything…..it is just gorgeous. So nice that you had it hand quilted too.
Happy new week!
Helen xox
Wow – it’s a real beauty. Love that binding.
Your quilter did a great job enhancing the designs.
Love your initials and date
I had almost forgotten about that quilt – it turned out beautifully – glad you got it hand quilted even though you didn’t do it yourself – so much better than having a top folded up and stacked away! it is so pretty would want to cuddly up with it
Really? Folks don’t like the scalloped border? I think it’s really deserving of hand quilting. It’s just all together one spectacular quilt.
That is BEAUTIFUL! So THAT’s what hand quilting’s supposed to be like. Hmm…. I didn’t know there were such people as hand quilters… and can’t quite imagine how much this person would have to charge for a year’s work! You can’t keep it folded away. But on the other hand you can’t allow anyone to use it either! I think you need to frame it under glass and then hang it on the wall in a moisture-controlled room with blinds to keep out most of the light. You do have a room like that, don’t you?
This is so beautiful, I especially love your fabric selection of happy colours. x
It is just gorgeous! Good job!
Anna-Banana! What a work of art! You are so right that a quilt with so much work deserves hand quilting — it’s beautiful! I love the clamshells and your teal, stripey binding. And, Mon dieu! (as my sister recently exclaimed) — the applique! I’m guardedly proud of my own applique, but yours makes me look like an amateur!
Did you put a sleeve on the back so you could hang it on the wall for all the world to see?
Now, onwards with the baby quilt!
it makes me ~smile~ inside and out. perfect!
I really like the scalloped edge with the binding.
It is just beautiful!
Sigh. You and your hand quilter are just awesome. Such a lovely feat between the two of you. Standing ovation!
This quilt is a big WOW. Just a beautiful work of art…be proud girl, be proud!!!!
Breathtaking!
I am in awe! That is absolutely stunning Anna.
Stunning! So fun. ??
The 2 ??was supposed to be a heart emoticon! Hugs
I have my wadding and top completed just have to get my backing but lifes interruptions are holding me back, I am going to unashameably copy your quilters beautiful quilting, love how she chose to do it and totally agree that this quilt deserves hand quilting, even though I usually do machine, love the quilting around the scallops that has brought them to life, well done, looks fantastic.
Lyn, Australia
It’s gorgeous! Great job on the applique & piecing, as well as the hand quilting. As for what to do with it, my birthday is coming up in November, the third to be exact! It would make a wonderful birthday gift. I promise to take good care of it!
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep! what to do with this beauty???!!!! put a sleeve on her, put up a gorgeous drapery rod that goes with the decor of a room and hang that beauty! so beautiful and the quilting is just exquisite! #jealous #loveit ;p
Ponder no more – I have the perfect home for this! This is gorgeous – I can’t believe you did this! Happy birthday, bitch!!
This quilt is stunning in every way! Beautifully done….
Ah-mazing! I’m speechless.
Anna, it is superb! It really all came together beautifully. I can see the love in it from here. It’s hard to decide whether to keep it for yourself or give it, isn’t it?
This quilt is so beautiful, Anna! Love it!